Improvement in lasts for boots and shoes



G. D. PAUL. Lasts for Boots and Shoes.

No. 213,528. Patentd Mar. 25,1879.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. PAUL, OF BRICK CHURCH STATION, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO PARKERP. PAUL AND THEODORE A. WILSON, OF NEYV YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN LASTS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 213,528, dated March25, 1879; application filed August 9, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE D. PAUL, of Brick Church Station, in thecounty of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Lasts; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and useit, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which torm part ofthis specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in that class of boot orshoe lasts which provides the sole-edge of the last with an elaslie oryielding bed or cushion adapted to permit of the easy insertion andwithdrawal of the awl and pegs in pegging, and so that as little injuryas possible may occur to the last by reason of such work.

Heretofore several different forms of construction have been employedhaving this end in view. Rubber has been fitted into a groove formed ina pegging-last, in combination with a metallic plate, which latterconstitutes the sole-edge of the last; also, rubber has been fitted intoa groove in a last and adapted. itself to form the sole-edge of thesame; but none of the several forms have provided a rubber bed orcushion composed of longitudinal sections, made, respectively, ofdifferent degrees of vulcanization.

My invention is designed to provide an elastic bed having an inner ormain body formed of rubber, adapted to readily admit of the insertionand withdrawal of the awl and the pegs, while the outer edge of the sameis made of rubber, adapted, by its rigidity and firmness, to form thesole-edge of the last. To this end I make the inner longitudinal body ofsaid bed from rubber having a suitable degree of vulcanization for thepurpose in view, and the outer edge of the same from rubber having agreater degree of vulcanization, whereby the latter may be capable ofbearing the work imposed upon it in its function as the sole-edge of thelast.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a bottom-plan view of a last embodyingmyinvention. Fig. 2 is a view in cross-section of the same.

The last A, made of any suitable material and form, is provided with therabbets a, formed in the outer or sole edge thereof, which rabbets mayextend to a greater or less extent about the sole of the last. In thedrawings said rabbets are not formed on the heel and extreme toe of thelast; but, if desired, they may be, or there might be a continuousrabbet extending entirely-about the outer edge of the bottom of thelast. An elastic bed or filling, B, in placed in this rabbet or rabbets,preferably so as to have its under or sole surface flush with the mainbody of the bottom of the last and its side or edge surface flush withthe side of the last, both the last and the elastic bed having the samecontour or exposed surface form. This elastic bed is composed, in itsmain or inner body, I), of rubber whose degree of vulcanization is suchthat the awl and pegs may be easily inserted and withdrawn therefrom,while its outer longitudinal body, b, is made of rubber having a greaterdegree of vulcanization than the former, and adapted by its greaterhardness, as compared with the same, to serve as the sole-edge of thelast. This elastic bed may be secured in its rabbeted groove in anydesired manner. A good way is to fasten its longitudinal extremities bymetallic heel and toe plates and its sides by nails, as shown in thedrawings; but this is wholly optional, and any other suitable means maybe employed for this purpose.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-- The combination, with a boot or shoe lastformed with a rabbet about its sole-edge, of an elastic bed fittingtherein, composed of rubber, the outer edge of which is of a greaterdegree of vulcanization than its main or inner portion, substantially asset forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand andseal this 12th day of June, 1878.

GEORGE D. PAUL. [L. s.]

Witnesses BERNARD ZWINGE, LOUIS HANNEMANN.

